Brooch thumbnail 1
Image of Gallery in South Kensington
On display at V&A South Kensington
Jewellery, Rooms 91, The William and Judith Bollinger Gallery

Brooch

ca. 1830 (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

The centre stone is a replacement green paste ( glass ). As the other stones on the brooch are natural gem stones it is likely that the centrepiece would originally have been so.

Gold, in a variety of treatments, became a dominant element in jewellery from the 1820s. It was used successfully in mesh necklaces and bracelets, gold chain and wire work, also as a foil to gemstones.

The technique of filigree with spirals and granules (cannetille and grainti) was revived in France then copied in England. Jewellers liked the economical use of gold and women appreciated the intricacy of the style.

Coloured golds were also popular. In gold alloy more copper gives a redder gold, while extra zinc or zinc and silver will result in a pale yellow gold


Object details

Category
Object type
Materials and techniques
Gold with grainti decoration, set with a green paste, garnets and green foiled aquamarines
Brief description
Gold brooch with grainti decoration, set with pastes, Western Europe, ca.1830.
Physical description
Gold brooch with grainti decoration, set with a green paste, garnets and green foiled aquamarines.
Dimensions
  • Height: 4.8cm
  • Width: 4.2cm
  • Depth: 1.4cm
Credit line
Bequeathed by Mr John George Joicey
Summary
The centre stone is a replacement green paste ( glass ). As the other stones on the brooch are natural gem stones it is likely that the centrepiece would originally have been so.

Gold, in a variety of treatments, became a dominant element in jewellery from the 1820s. It was used successfully in mesh necklaces and bracelets, gold chain and wire work, also as a foil to gemstones.

The technique of filigree with spirals and granules (cannetille and grainti) was revived in France then copied in England. Jewellers liked the economical use of gold and women appreciated the intricacy of the style.

Coloured golds were also popular. In gold alloy more copper gives a redder gold, while extra zinc or zinc and silver will result in a pale yellow gold
Collection
Accession number
M.272-1919

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Record createdAugust 12, 2005
Record URL
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